Mumbai is poised to become the epicentre of global chess action as the ₹40 lakh prize money Aurionpro International Grandmaster Chess Tournament and Junior International Chess Tournament will be played at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai from June 16 to June 24. Organised by the Indian Chess School under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation, this double-header promises thrilling encounters and unmatched competition.
Over 400 players from 17 countries have confirmed participation in this chess extravaganza, including an impressive lineup of 16 Grandmasters and 13 International Masters. With a combined prize fund of ₹40.00 Lakhs, the event stands as one of India’s richest chess tournaments — ₹25.00 Lakhs earmarked for the Grandmaster section and ₹15.00 Lakhs for the Junior (Under-13) section, the latter billed as the ‘Richest Tournament for Children’ in the world.
In the Grandmaster section, the top billing goes to GM Levan Pantsulaia of Georgia, a formidable force with consistent performances on the international circuit. He is followed closely by GM Petrosyan Manuel from Armenia, while GM Luka Paichadze, also from Georgia, is the third seed.
12-year-old FIDE Master Aansh Nerurkar leads the Indian charge in the Junior section, with strong challenges expected from Madhesh Kumar of Pondicherry and Maharashtra’s Avirat Chauhan. The undeniable star attraction, however, is 12-year-old Women International Master Oshini Gunawardhana from Sri Lanka, whose presence adds international flair and excitement to the field.
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With this partnership, the Aurionpro International Grandmaster Chess Tournament is set to become a leading event in youth chess and a powerful step forward for the game’s future. The earlier editions have thrown up junior winners, who have gone on to carve a place for themselves in the global chess world, prominent among them current World Champion Gukesh.
“Chess is no longer confined to a few geographies; it is expanding fast and wide, we’re witnessing a surge of bold, brilliant players ready to compete on the global stage. This tournament is just the beginning of a new era, filled with immense, untapped potential.” said Ashish Rai at the pre-tournament press conference held early this month.
Praful Zaveri the founder of Indian Chess School has also showered praise on the tournament.
“The goal of the tournament has always been to encourage analytical thinking and mental resilience in youth, it is inspiring to see a tech company like Aurionpro recognize that the same skills which produce great chess players are critical for navigating today’s digital challenges. This partnership validates the idea that strategy is a universal language, whether in technology or over the board.” Zaveri has said.
The Sportz Planet Desk
